Minims Amethocaine (Tetracaine) Hydrochloride (Tetracaine (Amethocaine) Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Minims Amethocaine (Tetracaine) Hydrochloride Used For?
Minims Amethocaine (Tetracaine) Hydrochloride is a local anaesthetic eye drop that numbs your eye during medical procedures. It’s specifically designed for short-term use by healthcare professionals.
Primary Uses
This medication is used to numb or block pain in your eyes during procedures such as: measuring eye pressure, inserting contact lenses, removing foreign objects from your eyes, and other minor eye operations.
How It Works
As a local anaesthetic, it temporarily blocks nerve signals that carry pain sensations from your eye, making procedures comfortable and pain-free.
Professional Use Only: This medication is specifically developed for use by your doctor and not for long-term personal use.
How to Take Minims Amethocaine (Tetracaine) Hydrochloride
Your doctor will administer this medication directly into your eye before any procedure. You will not be given a prescription for home use.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one drop into your eye(s) before starting a procedure. The number of times drops are applied depends on the type and length of the procedure. If you wear contact lenses, you’ll need to remove them before the drops are applied and can put them back after the numbness wears off or when your doctor says it’s safe.
What If Too Much Is Used
If too many drops are accidentally applied, immediately rinse your eyes with plenty of warm water or saline for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses before rinsing. Seek further examination if irritation, pain, or swelling continues beyond 15 minutes.
Important: Overuse can damage the eye surface or cause vision loss, especially if your eye is already damaged.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Stinging or burning sensation in the eye (may last up to 30 seconds)
- Blurred vision or decreased vision
- Watery eyes
- Eye pain
- Eye swelling
- Eye redness
- Eye itching
- Eye fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Feeling of having something in the eye
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Grey appearance of the cornea (clear part at front of eye)
- Allergic reaction symptoms: shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/other body parts, rash, itching or hives on skin
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before using this medication.
Who Should Not Take Minims Amethocaine (Tetracaine) Hydrochloride
Do not use if you are allergic to tetracaine (amethocaine), any other local anaesthetic, or any ingredients in this medication. Do not use if you are being treated with sulphonamide medicines. Do not use in premature babies. Do not use continuously for long periods.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have had allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes, have any other medical conditions, or take any other medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or intend to breastfeed.
Elderly Patients: This medication should be used with caution in elderly patients.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with Minims Amethocaine (Tetracaine) Hydrochloride and affect how it works.
- Special dyes used by doctors to stain eyes for examination
- Sulphonamide medicines
- Anticholinesterase medicines
- Suxamethonium
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities requiring clear vision and coordination while your eye is numb and recovering.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions mentioned, but use caution as your vision may be affected.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. Keep any eye patch your doctor applies until normal feeling returns. Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you regain clear vision.
Storage
Your doctor will store Minims Amethocaine (Tetracaine) Hydrochloride in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. The eye drops should not be frozen or exposed to strong light. Each single-dose unit and any remaining solution will be discarded immediately after use.
Overdose Information
If accidental swallowing occurs, it’s unlikely to cause serious side effects due to the low tetracaine content. However, if you think anyone has swallowed the contents, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (in Australia, call 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your eye may remain numb for up to one hour after the last drop is applied. Your doctor will put a patch over your eye to protect it during this time.
No, do not touch or rub your eye while it is numb. Your doctor will place a protective patch over your eye to prevent you from touching it and potentially damaging the eye surface.
Protect your numb eye from dust particles which could cause infections. Keep the patch your doctor applies until normal feeling returns, and avoid driving until you regain clear vision.
You will need to remove contact lenses before the eye drops are applied. You can put them back after the numbness wears off or when your doctor tells you it’s safe to do so.
This medication should not be used in premature babies. For children, the doctor may compress the small part of the child’s eye near the corner of the nose for a minute during and after applying the drops.
No, your doctor will not give you a prescription for home use. This medication is specifically developed for use by healthcare professionals during medical procedures, not for long-term personal use.
Immediately rinse your eyes with plenty of warm water or saline for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses before rinsing. If irritation, pain, or swelling continues beyond 15 minutes, seek further medical examination.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.